SGT Ivan Messersmith

May 12, 1999 - November 11, 2020

SGT Ivan Messersmith, 21, of Lincoln formerly of Grand Island passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Church. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Church, Pastor Carl Eliason will officiate. Burial will take place at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with Nebraska National Guard Military Honors. CDC guidelines will be followed for both visitation and service. Masks are required. All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements, memorials are suggested to Heartland Lutheran High School for a football scoreboard. Ivan was born on May 12, 1999 in Hastings, NE; the youngest son of Shawn and Carol (Einspahr) Messersmith of Grand Island. Ivan grew up in Grand Island, tagging along with his older brothers. While attending school, he was in the same grade as high school sweetheart and best friend, Natalie Stapleton. He graduated from Heartland Lutheran High School in 2018 and had enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard before his senior year. Ivan was honored to be called to serve for six months in Afghanistan. He joined his platoon and enjoyed maintaining and flying in the chinook helicopters. Following his deployment, Ivan enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln majoring in Civil Engineer. Ivan had a built in determined ability to apply himself to his education and a bit of luck when playing cards and usually making his bid. He loved his family. The loving competitive spirit led him to excel at any sports he and his brothers started. He was also known for his wonderful smile and sharing in many late-night life talks. He is survived by his parents; brothers, A.J. (Toni) Messersmith of St. Libory, Josh (Kayla) Messersmith of Grand Island, and Noah (Elizabeth) Messersmith of Ames, IA, ; nieces and nephews, Madilynn, Paytin, Riley, and Holley; grandparents, Janis Einspahr, and Leland and Gloria Messersmith; his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Natalie Stapleton and her family, parents, John and Sue Stapleton, brother Derek Stapleton; along with numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and National Guard family. Ivan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Virgil and Clela Einspahr.